So last night i brought my baby up to the dealer because her 4x4 quit working for good. The problem is the encoder motor, and that alone is going to run near $1k to fix. then they told me that my front end is falling apart, and needs all new steering components, which i knew, the steering has been getting sloppy on me. so they tell me that i can have the truck back on tuesday (after the big snow storm) for a little under $2k. it kinda sucks, i was gonna buy a new truck in the spring, but i can't justify it right now, so i guess i'll have to keep this one around for a while longer.

PearceLawn

12-15-2007, 09:24 AM

I feel your pain. Hit a HUGE pothole a couple of weeks ago. Cost me 1200 to have a new steering rack put on.

Sucks big time,good luck!!

Albery's Lawn & Tractor

12-15-2007, 10:17 AM

Stop abusing your truck, and only tow what its rated for and it will last you. From reading your other posts you dog this truck and treat it like a 3/4 ton.

Petr51488

12-15-2007, 10:28 PM

And you want to go cross country towing some 100k horses?

J&R Landscaping

12-15-2007, 10:51 PM

And you want to go cross country towing some 100k horses?

Good point. I saw that thread and was wondering as well....

That sucks about the Truck? I'm pretty sure you didnt have it that long right?? For an 9 y/o truck, its time for parts like that to start wideling down and needing replacement! Just hop you didnt pay a whole lot for the truck.

mike lane lawn care

12-16-2007, 12:03 AM

Good point. I saw that thread and was wondering as well....

That sucks about the Truck? I'm pretty sure you didnt have it that long right?? For an 9 y/o truck, its time for parts like that to start wideling down and needing replacement! Just hop you didnt pay a whole lot for the truck.

well i paid $8k for it 8 moths ago, since then i have put over 35,000 miles on her, driven her daily through the mountains, and hauled trailer all over the place that either exceded, or met it's tow rating. so if after this i'll have basicaly a rebuilt front end. the entire break system was redone under warranty, as was the rear axle. so i think she'll hold up for another 60k just fine after this. other than 1k for new load range E A/T tires, i haven't put any money into this truck, and i drive her VERY HARD.

Petr51488

12-16-2007, 05:53 PM

well i paid $8k for it 8 moths ago, since then i have put over 35,000 miles on her, driven her daily through the mountains, and hauled trailer all over the place that either exceded, or met it's tow rating. so if after this i'll have basicaly a rebuilt front end. the entire break system was redone under warranty, as was the rear axle. so i think she'll hold up for another 60k just fine after this. other than 1k for new load range E A/T tires, i haven't put any money into this truck, and i drive her VERY HARD.

Wow 35k in 8 months? Thats a hell of alot of driving.

topsites

12-16-2007, 06:25 PM

This is what some of us keep jabbering on and on about...
I would never even consider that kind of expense for repairs, if it's that far gone then it gets replaced, but as much so because in my case the Blue Book is just around 2-3 thousand so any repair much in excess of a grand needs to be planned accordingly.

So all right, one more time: Those 1/2 ton pickups are really just a 5.0 sedan with a truck body on it. Take your pick, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Mustang GT, Lincoln Marks, they really honestly are all just about the same dang thing with their 5.0 engines and the AOD trannies, yes, really. We take a different body and the frame might be changed around some, as is the interior and this and that, but engine and transmission and brakes and suspension and all that is the same thing from one to the next.
That is what makes assembly line manufacturing cost effective and production efficient, keeping to the standards.

The 1/2 ton is barely a step above, a few parts are heavier duty but it's just not designed for full time WORK, heck even the wheels are 5 lug and the brake system is literally the same thing.
The 1/2 ton is designed for the homeowner or the semi-serious part-timer who uses it for towing once or twice a year (not much over a few times, maybe every weekend but never beyond), these folks are somewhere between being absolutely right and out of their minds but the fact remains they just HAVE to have a full size pick up and these folks are whom the 1/2 ton is made for.

Most 1/2 tons never see heavy duty work, they're the cheapest shiniest trucks out there because they're inexpensive to make and most are used more for commutes than anything else. The fact that 1/2 tons are in the majority or the most-often light truck sold is just because there exist many more folks out there who THINK they need a truck than folks who DO need one.

But for folks who need a TRUCK, the 1/2 ton is too light.

The 3/4 tons suspension and steering and rear-end and transmission and engine and frame and every component of the 3/4 is beefed up and a heavier duty grade, the 3/4 ton is the first true light truck.

So before you justify yourself into another piece of garbage, get a 3/4 ton for your next truck and I can almost guarantee you will never run into these nightmares again, at the very least your problem spells will be noticeably fewer and farther in between.

If money is an issue get an older one, a 1995 model 3/4 is almost certainly at least as good as a 2005 1/2 ton, probably better in terms of how long it will last for the dollar.

The 3/4's are not cheap and a good one for a good price is really hard to find, I'd start saving money and start looking, you can't finance these things because a lot of times when and where you find one financing is the last thing you or the seller wants to think about, I buy all of mine cash.

It takes 6-12 months to save the 3-4 thousand required, then because it's an older vehicle you really need to dump another 500-1000 into it for starters and 1500-2000 is not unusual, but on the other side of the coin it takes at least that long to find a good deal, too.

So, start saving and start looking, even if you don't have the money at the very least you'll gain education
and insight into the world of 3/4 tons.

tthomass

12-16-2007, 06:37 PM

'02 2500HD's are going for around $10,000. Towing? Get a 4.10 rear with a 6.0L and you're set........one of the best engines ever made, solid transmission..........all around solid truck.

ALarsh

12-16-2007, 08:17 PM

If you didn't do soo much driving all over hell, you would probably have enough cash for a new truck and own a truck actually worth something.

mike lane lawn care

12-16-2007, 08:46 PM

the driving i do is all for work. maybe 1500 miles are a result of recreational off road driving. as you can wheel the truck for hours, and only put on 20 miles. really i need to just buy a brand new 2500, or 3500, and get is commercially registered with DOT numbers. i was looking at a left over 2007 3500 dually, and was about to take the plunge and buy it, as i could swing the monthly payments for a 4 year loan, but my mom talked me into fixing the 1500.

HenryB

12-16-2007, 09:17 PM

the driving i do is all for work. maybe 1500 miles are a result of recreational off road driving. as you can wheel the truck for hours, and only put on 20 miles. really i need to just buy a brand new 2500, or 3500, and get is commercially registered with DOT numbers. i was looking at a left over 2007 3500 dually, and was about to take the plunge and buy it, as i could swing the monthly payments for a 4 year loan, but my mom talked me into fixing the 1500.

I think your mom's giving better advice than the guys on this site. We should be in biz to make $ not buy new trucks. From your post How can justify $45k for a new truck via loan.:confused: I'd listen to mom. She has your best interest in mind.

Petr51488

12-16-2007, 09:52 PM

the driving i do is all for work. maybe 1500 miles are a result of recreational off road driving. as you can wheel the truck for hours, and only put on 20 miles. really i need to just buy a brand new 2500, or 3500, and get is commercially registered with DOT numbers. i was looking at a left over 2007 3500 dually, and was about to take the plunge and buy it, as i could swing the monthly payments for a 4 year loan, but my mom talked me into fixing the 1500.

You have the money for an 07 3500 dually? Thats quite the step from your reg cab short bed 1500. I'de have to agree with the other guys and buy a 3/4 ton truck. You would not believe the difference in stability/size/power/everything else between the two. Trust me. I know.

KS_Grasscutter

12-16-2007, 10:00 PM

HOW in the HELL do you put 35,000 miles on a truck in less than a year!?!??!? Do you do anything OTHER than drive? Good lord, I thought me putting 15k on my Ranger in a year was bad... And how do you have the TIME to do that, going to school, and working?

mike lane lawn care

12-16-2007, 10:27 PM

HOW in the HELL do you put 35,000 miles on a truck in less than a year!?!??!? Do you do anything OTHER than drive? Good lord, I thought me putting 15k on my Ranger in a year was bad... And how do you have the TIME to do that, going to school, and working?

in the winter, and on weekends, my work IS driving.

mike lane lawn care

12-16-2007, 10:31 PM

You have the money for an 07 3500 dually? Thats quite the step from your reg cab short bed 1500. I'de have to agree with the other guys and buy a 3/4 ton truck. You would not believe the difference in stability/size/power/everything else between the two. Trust me. I know.

yes i have the ability to take out a 48 month loan on a new dually, but it would mean that i would spend most of my money on payments, insurance, and fuel. So if i keep the truck around for another 50-60,000 miles(about another year) then i'll be set and have the money saved up to put down a huge down payment on a much larger truck. i have driven the dually, and the 3500 SRW and while the ride is crap compared to my 1500, it seems to have an endless amount of power, and just feels like it can handle anything i can throw at it.

ALarsh

12-16-2007, 11:19 PM

What kind of truck company would hire someone with a 1/2 ton truck? And they hired you before turning 18 (seeing that 8 months ago you weren't 18)?

I think if you would be spending all that time and effort in landscaping you will see that you will reap much greater rewards than in the 1/2 ton "trucking" industry. There just isn't much money there being small time.

KS_Grasscutter

12-16-2007, 11:22 PM

What kind of truck company would hire someone with a 1/2 ton truck? And they hired you before turning 18 (seeing that 8 months ago you weren't 18)?

I think if you would be spending all that time and effort in landscaping you will see that you will reap much greater rewards than in the 1/2 ton "trucking" industry. There just isn't much money there being small time.

Yea, kinda what I was thinking. Think he needs to buy a ZTR and focus more on building up his lawn business instead of going on all this fancy trips that tear the hell out of his truck. His truck would do GOOD pulling a 12' trailer with a 48" ZTR and a 32" WB...

mike lane lawn care

12-16-2007, 11:40 PM

What kind of truck company would hire someone with a 1/2 ton truck? And they hired you before turning 18 (seeing that 8 months ago you weren't 18)?

I think if you would be spending all that time and effort in landscaping you will see that you will reap much greater rewards than in the 1/2 ton "trucking" industry. There just isn't much money there being small time.

a lot of the trips were private ones, meaning one of my client's, or their friends would pay me to trailer a u-haul trailer to a new home, or a small boat from home to the marina, lots of little things. stuff that you don't need a big truck for, my favorites were trips for a farm owner who had a hobby flying and collecting planes. i would trailer parts and small outdated aircraft from all over the place back to the farm, where he kept everything in a modern barn(hanger).

one of my trips that took a few days, was for a company that delivers large equipment, i was paid very well to drive as an escort vehicle behind the semi rig.

yes, i treat my truck like a 3/4 ton, but it's proof that with 135k and the way i drive her, that it can handle a lot more than most people think. i'm always safe, and use a trailer with brakes on both axles.

ALarsh

12-16-2007, 11:46 PM

a lot of the trips were private ones, meaning one of my client's, or their friends would pay me to trailer a u-haul trailer to a new home, or a small boat from home to the marina, lots of little things. stuff that you don't need a big truck for, my favorites were trips for a farm owner who had a hobby flying and collecting planes. i would trailer parts and small outdated aircraft from all over the place back to the farm, where he kept everything in a modern barn(hanger).

one of my trips that took a few days, was for a company that delivers large equipment, i was paid very well to drive as an escort vehicle behind the semi rig.

If thats what you enjoy doing more power to you. Good luck.

steve45

12-17-2007, 12:40 AM

Are you absolutely sure it's not the switch in the dash that's bad? That's what goes out 98% of the time. Costs about $75, and you can install it yourself in 10 minutes.

Slop in the steering is most likely the Pittman arm. At least that's what goes out about 90% of the time on the Chevy front ends. A Pittman arm will set you back about $30 bucks at AutoZone. The 4WD is a lot harder to replace than the 2WD version, but it can be done in about 3 hours. You'll need a tie-rod splitter (pickle fork), a Pittman arm puller, and a big socket to loosen the nut on the bottom of the steering box shaft. When you're done, you'll need to re-adjust the tie-rods. You can probably get a wheel alignment shop to do it for under $300.

Get second opinions before you blow your life savings at the dealer!!!

Albery's Lawn & Tractor

12-17-2007, 12:54 AM

How can you even get a loan for a $45K truck if your not 18? I think you need to come back down to earth and realize your only in high school and having a new truck is cool and impressive but if you have to struggle to make the payments whats the point? If a different truck is what you need then look for a good deal on a used one. Stop trying to impress everyone because everyone else's opinion of you doesn't matter.

mike lane lawn care

12-17-2007, 09:51 AM

How can you even get a loan for a $45K truck if your not 18? I think you need to come back down to earth and realize your only in high school and having a new truck is cool and impressive but if you have to struggle to make the payments whats the point? If a different truck is what you need then look for a good deal on a used one. Stop trying to impress everyone because everyone else's opinion of you doesn't matter.
i am 18:hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead:

Are you absolutely sure it's not the switch in the dash that's bad? That's what goes out 98% of the time. Costs about $75, and you can install it yourself in 10 minutes.

Slop in the steering is most likely the Pittman arm. At least that's what goes out about 90% of the time on the Chevy front ends. A Pittman arm will set you back about $30 bucks at AutoZone. The 4WD is a lot harder to replace than the 2WD version, but it can be done in about 3 hours. You'll need a tie-rod splitter (pickle fork), a Pittman arm puller, and a big socket to loosen the nut on the bottom of the steering box shaft. When you're done, you'll need to re-adjust the tie-rods. You can probably get a wheel alignment shop to do it for under $300.

Get second opinions before you blow your life savings at the dealer!!!

i know that the tie rod ends are shot, i checked them myself, and boy they are gone. the big thing is that a pitman arm, which is also getting replaced, costs $100 from the dealer, but they carry a 12 month part and labor warranty on everything. i tried the switch, i got a new one for like $68 from this dealer and it didn't work. the service manager is a good person, i trust she won't srew me over, as i've had work done there before with the van and was happy.

man of stihl

12-17-2007, 06:15 PM

best of luck to you. if something gets repoed it hurts your credit very badly

mag360

12-17-2007, 06:43 PM

Tie rod ends are pretty easy to do yourself + they're cheap. With 30,000+ paid miles on her I wouldn't feel too bad about paying for the repairs though.

Good luck---(by the way 3/4 and 1 ton trucks wear through the same front end components---especially diesels)

South Florida Lawns

12-17-2007, 07:37 PM

buy the stuff go online read up how to fix it and do the work yourself, you will save a couple hundred easily.

J&R Landscaping

12-18-2007, 06:43 PM

For that 35000 miles in 8 months, Figure 245 days ='s out to 142.857 miles a day. Did you give up lawn care or what??? I know part of that 8 months was summer but damn...

mike lane lawn care

12-18-2007, 11:10 PM

For that 35000 miles in 8 months, Figure 245 days ='s out to 142.857 miles a day. Did you give up lawn care or what??? I know part of that 8 months was summer but damn...

well, i didn't drive every day, a few days i totaled over 1k in miles. and no, i didn't give up lawn care and landscaping, this is in addition to it, most trips were at night, or on weekends.

BTW i got her back! for the total cost of $1666.00, they didn't charge me labor on the tie rod ends, cause they figured my bill was good enough.

FearThisDeere

12-19-2007, 11:37 AM

You've got a pretty good shop. You must be really busy Mike. Good for you.

AAXteriors

12-19-2007, 06:58 PM

Man I think your truck in the shop for those kinds of repairs just proves you need a 250 or bigger. I got my 96 F250 for like $4-5,000 with a plow. i would much rather pull my trailers with it instead of with my 1500. Just my opinion.
-Josh